Trending Now

You are here

Mahaffey names bridge in honor of 32-year Marine Landy

MAHAFFEY — A ceremony Thursday authoritatively designated a bridge on State Route 3011 over the Chest Creek in Clearfield County as the “Sergeant Major Morton Shea Landy Bridge,” in honor of a 32-year Marine.
State Sen. Don White was among those honoring Landy, 82, of Mahaffey.

Landy entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1946 and is a highly-decorated veteran. When he retired after serving for 32 years and 30 days, he had attained the rank of major and was only the second person to serve two years beyond the 30-year limit.

After being informed of the designation last October, Landy said he felt highly honored. And Thursday, the crowd surrounded him as he unveiled a sign bearing his name at the bridge.

Throughout the ceremony, speakers discussed the dedication of troops similar to Landy, as they proclaimed this as one of the greatest weeks for Americans — the week that U.S. forces killed 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.

People everywhere — Democrats and Republicans — were able to put aside political differences and come together as Americans — just as they did during the days surrounding Sept. 11, 2001.

Also, speakers discussed the definition of a bridge as being a passageway over a barrier. Many friends of Landy felt that the definition fit not only the structure named after him, but also his personality. He is sought as someone who is always available to serve the community and provides passages for others in difficult times.
When asked how he felt to have the bridge named in his honor, Landy replied, “Oh, just incredible.”

PennDOT furnished signs for the bridge displaying “Sergeant Major Morton Shea Landy Bridge” to traffic in both directions.